Heart of Education | Outside The Lines

Some people are gifted with artistic abilities. Others develop them in time. Most diligent students can become creative artists with the help of good art teachers.

Excellent art teachers are memorable additions to the education process. In many cases, art teachers play monumental roles in the lives of students. Therefore, the question stands: What makes a good art teacher? Listed below are three character traits of a good art teacher.

Passion

Passion is contagious. An art teacher fills the classroom with enthusiasm when he or she enjoys work, continues developing art skills, and encourages students. One of the most effective ways to do this involves creating visual aids. Students need these examples and enjoy seeing a teacher display his or her abilities.

Perspective

When art teachers educate students about perspective, it usually involves discussing a work of art from the artist’s point of view. Another definition of perspective ought to be considered though. When reviewing art work, a good teacher keeps an open mind and invites the student to explain his or her masterpiece. This enables students to express themselves and develop creativity.

One of the biggest mistakes an art teacher can make is failing to consider personal perspective in light of how the project is graded. There is always a story behind an art project and many times it is not what others expect.

Balance

As mentioned above, art teachers need to be passionate, fun-loving, and value the efforts of their students. All the while, they must remember the title of teacher; this role requires a person to instruct the classroom and challenge students, even if it means being “tough” at times. These traits are essential to ensuring students better themselves in areas of creativity and art. Great art teachers know how to be fun and constructive all at once.

When describing a good art teacher, many statements come to mind. One being, teachers are “not born but made”. Over time, these individuals become skilled in the art of teaching. Which seems entirely appropriate for a good art teacher.

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School art programs fall victim to tight budgets. For years, it has been evident that art classes and extracurricular activities suffer because of budget shortages in the education system. Schools strive to meet state and national standards and, as a result, art programs get left behind.

Recognizing its importance, many teachers and parents see to it that art remains a utilized teaching tool in and out of the classroom. Reviving art education is possible, but to fulfill this need, a new approach is required. Reviving art as the heart of education begins in the family and continues in the classroom.

Art Programs Fall Victim to Tight Budgets

In addition to attendance and enrollment, funding for schools relies on teaching, tests, and other measurables. Art cannot be graded this way. As a result, art programs, which produce numerous benefits for developing minds, are not supported by the current education system.

Art as a Teaching Tool

Some schools and districts work hard to preserve art programs. These schools value the fact that art can be used, not only for expression, but as a teaching tool. Many subjects are better taught with an element of creativity; this brings facts to life, makes information stick, and encourages kids to think beyond the learning structure that controls education.

Art at Home

Like all subjects, art isn’t limited to the classroom and it should not be confined to the four walls of a school house. Creativity works to define who we are, what we value and how we exist in the world around us. Art is found in unlikely places when we choose to make art a part of our everyday lives.

Ultimately, facts, figures, concepts, and information are all empty without the element of creativity. It is important to have opportunities to connect with what we see, hear, and learn in meaningful ways. This happens best through creative expression.

Is art a big part of your life? How can you make art a bigger part of your life? How can you encourage children to be creative learners, and how can a creative approach to education enhance the learning experience?

Read more Segmation Blog Posts about Art Education:

Art and Science – A Genius Combination

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Be an Artist in 2 minutes with Segmation SegPlay® PC (see more details below)

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